The Catholic Cafe

Join Deacon Jeff and Tom in the Luxurious Corner Booth as they welcome Sister Virginia Joy of the Sisters of Life. Sister Virginia Joy shares the story of the founding of her order by John Cardinal O'Connor, where her order is busy at work, as well as her own personal discernment to the religious life. She also offers some insight for young women who might be discerning a call to religious life.

Is the Church an "invisible kingdom" here on earth? Can we actually see the Church? Or, is it merely a loose association of generally like-minded believers gathered in the Spirit? Join Deacon Jeff and Tom in the Luxurious Corner Booth as they discuss the visible nature of the Church - its structure, organization and hierarchy - as referenced in Sacred Scripture as well as by the Early Church Fathe...

Does God really care which Church you attend? Does it really matter which "flavor" of spirituality you practice? Isn't it all just about journeying toward God? These are tough questions to answer sometimes...especially when friends, co-workers and even family stray from the faith tradition they (and you) were raised. Join Deacon Jeff and Tom in the Luxurious Corner Booth as they discuss whether or...

"So...what did you give up for Lent?" How many times have we heard this asked of us? Or, how many times have we asked others this same question? It's not necessarily a bad thing. But, sometimes, we forget about the purpose and meaning behind the fasting and abstinence, as well as their constant Lenten companions, prayer and almsgiving. Join Deacon Jeff and Tom in the Luxurious Corner Booth as they...

Do you trust God? Even in the face of what seems to be your worst fear? That's the question one high-school teacher had to ask himself when he found out that his wife was to give birth to a child with a defect called spina bifida. For him it was a life-transforming and even miraculous event. Join Deacon Jeff and Tom as they welcome Chad Judice, author of Waiting For Eli: A Father's Journey From Fe...

Join Deacon Jeff and Tom as they welcome to the Luxurious Corner Booth Michael Cumbie, a former Southern Baptist minister (and we DO mean Southern) who found his way home to the Church of Rome. Listen in and find out what made this good Christian man, steeped in Southern Gospel tradition, do what many Southern Baptists find very difficult to comprehend...joining the Catholic Church!

Are you an evangelist? Do you even know what it really means to be an evangelist? Join Deacon Jeff and Tom as they welcome internationally known speaker, teacher...and evangelist Kelly Wahlquist to the Luxurious Corner Booth to discuss the New Evangelization and the importance of sharing the Joy of the Gospel while living and expressing a life of joy.

Have you ever wondered what Sacred Scripture means by "the brothers and sisters" of Jesus? Why, as Catholics, is it a problem to believe that Mary had other children after the virgin birth of our Lord? Join Deacon Jeff and Tom in the Luxurious Corner Booth as they explore the important dogmatic teaching of the Perpetual Virginity of Mary and why it is so important to believe this in our day.

Undoubtedly, many if not all "lovers" will hasten out to buy their loved ones tokens of their love in honor of St Valentine's Day every February 14th. It is sometimes a beautiful gesture, but does this really show how much we love someone? It does call into question just what we mean by "true love." Join Deacon Jeff and Tom in the Luxurious Corner Booth to discover how we can see how our acts of l...

How close are you to your bible? Would you say you are intimate? Or, just acquainted? Join Deacon Jeff and Tom in the Luxurious Corner Booth as they discuss the need to become and the process of becoming intimately involved in God by becoming more intimately involved in Sacred Scripture.

Are you a disciple of Christ? Do you really know what that means? Is it the same for Catholics and non-Catholics alike? Join Deacon Jeff and Tom in the Luxurious Corner Booth as they discuss the meaning, purpose and importance of answering Jesus' call to "Go and make disciples of all the nations."

We've all had the experience of driving down Main Street in Anytown, USA and seeing church after church of many different types and denominations. Are they ultimately all about the same? Were they all founded or started about the same time? Are they all just different "flavors" of spiritual ice cream as it were? Join Deacon Jeff and Tom in the Luxurious Corner Booth as they discuss the Catholic Ch...

We all make New Year's resolutions. But, do they really change us? Usually not. We end up making some of those same resolutions year after year. So...how do we really and substantially make truly transformative changes in our lives? Join Deacon Jeff and Tom in the Luxurious Corner Booth as they discuss the power and promise - and transformation - Jesus and His Church offer us through the Sacrament...

Many in today's world tend to "write off" those who are in prison...especially those who are on death row...and forget about them as lost cases. Our guest in the Luxurious Corner Booth is Robert Hutton, noted Death Row Attorney, who tells the conversion stories of many of the inmates he has met and worked with on death row and shines the light of hope on the seemingly very dark place of prison.

Meet Santa's Helper, also known as Brian Elms, who volunteers as a well-dressed Santa at children's hospitals and pancake breakfasts. Deacon Jeff and Tom welcome Brian into the Luxurious Corner Booth to discuss the reason he helps Santa, and the many wonderful stories that come with the beard and red suit.

Has it been a while since your last sacramental Confession? How about 40 years? Join Deacon Jeff and Tom in the Luxurious Corner Booth as they read and discuss a listener's email to The Catholic Cafe recounting their personal journey and (a 40-year experience) back to the confessional!

Do you know where Fatima is? Do you know what happened there? If you were ever curious about Marian apparitions and their role in the Church, this is the show for you. Join Deacon Jeff and Tom as they welcome Fr Andrew Apostoli, CFR, a respected expert on Our Lady of Fatima, to the Luxurious Corner Booth to speak about this important faith event and its meaning for today's world.

What are we "celebrating" in the season of Advent? Many people, even Catholics, tend to gloss over Advent and skip right to Christmas. But, is that right? Join Deacon Jeff and Tom as they discuss taking time during the season of Advent to anticipate the coming of the Christ...especially by contemplating the reasons for the Incarnation.

Unfortunately, there are many Catholics who have refrained from the Sacrament of Reconciliation for a long, long time. There can be many reasons - some better than others - that the People of God might consider not wanting to avail themselves of so generous a gift of grace as Confession. Join Deacon Jeff and Tom in the Luxurious Corner Booth as they ponder the oft-avoided, difficult topic of going...

When we read the Bible, we realize we're reading the inspired Word of God. But, what about all the numbers we read about: One, two, three, six, seven, twelve, forty and all the others? Are they inspired? Should we read them literally? Is there some secret knowledge we can gain from understanding the numbers we find in Sacred Scripture? Join Deacon Jeff and Tom in the Luxurious Corner Booth as they...

Most people probably assume that every Catholic bishop was born and raised a Catholic. But, believe it or not, there are a few American Catholic bishops who converted to the Catholic faith. Most Reverend James Conley, Bishop of the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska, is one such bishop. Join us in the Luxurious Corner Booth of The Catholic Cafe as Deacon Jeff and Tom speak with Bishop Conley about his c...

If you were asked if you had any friends, it's almost a given that you'd reply, "Of course. I have many friends." But, do you really know what makes a friend a TRUE friend? And how is this different from a "regular" friend? Well, join Deacon Jeff and Tom in the luxurious corner booth as they welcome Dr. John Cuddeback, Professor of Philosophy at Christendom College. Dr. Cuddeback shares what it me...

Most Catholics know the Four Dogmas of Mary: Her Immaculate Conception, Mary Mother of God, Mary Ever-Virgin and Her Glorious Assumption. But, sometimes we might forget that there is another popular doctrine that the Church teaches about the Blessed Virgin: not only is she the Mother of Jesus, but she is our mother, too. Join Deacon Jeff and his sidekick, Tom, as they delve into the subject of Mom...

We spend a lot of time making lists and ranking things so we can always know who the best and worst performers are, or what our best and worst choices are. This goes for colleges, businesses, doctors, pro athletes and even movies. You name it, we list it. Did you realize that the Bible does the same? Join Deacon Jeff and his sidekick Tom as they closely examine a passage from the Luke's Gospel whe...

When you look at the world today, it's easy to see how much bad "stuff" is out there. Did you ever stop and think why so much, and why now? It all is connected to God's purpose and plan for the family. Join Deacon Jeff and sidekick Tom Dorian as they discuss the important topic of Purposeful Parenting and how our children desperately need parents of great moral character who are filled with faith.